Sector spray device

ABSTRACT

A sector spray device comprising a stationary feedpipe having at its lower end a stationary discharge control cap, which possesses a discharge slot. The sector spray device further comprises a drive means for rotating a sleeve to which are attached discharge tubes that are from time to time during their circle of rotation in fluid communication with the discharge slot of the control cap. Thus, liquid passing through the feedpipe will be discharged through only those tubes in fluid communication with the discharge slot. In this way, the liquid is sprayed in a constant sector-shaped pattern that can be limited to 90* or less, depending upon the discharge slot. Also, where the present invention uses a control cap with a discharge slot, a selector can be employed to change the position of the discharge slot, and thereby cause the sector-shaped pattern to be moved accordingly to a new location. Furthermore, the width of the discharge slot in the cap can be varied by movement of an indicator.

United States Patent Feb. 15, 1972 Waldrum [54] SECTOR SPRAY DEVICE [72] Inventor: John E. Waldrum, Ambler, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Amchem Products, Inc., Ambler, Pa.

[22] Filed: Mar. 11, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 18,578

[52] US. Cl. ..239/214, 239/DIG. 1, 239/225, 239/380 [51] Int. Cl. ..B05b 3/02, F23d 11/04 [58] Field of Search ..239/2l4, 222, 251, 380, DIG. 1, 239/225 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,532,356 12/1950 Brown et a1... 239/DIG 1 1,155,] 15 9/1915 Watson 239/D1G 1 2,367,426 1/1945 Patterson 239/222 X 2,955,765 10/1960 I Farmer et al. ..239/380 2,729,504 1/1956 Zukas ..239/D1G. 1

Primary ExaminerLloyd L. King Attorney-Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein & Cohen [57] ABSTRACT A sector spray device comprising a stationary feedpipe having at its lower end a stationary discharge control cap, which possesses a discharge slot. The sector spray device further comprises a drive means for rotating a sleeve to which are attached discharge tubes that are from time to time during their circle of rotation in fluid communication with the discharge slot of the control cap. Thus, liquid passing through the feedpipe will be discharged through only those tubes in fluid communication with the discharge slot, in this way, the liquid is sprayed in a constant sector-shaped pattern that can be limited to 90 or less, depending upon the discharge slot.

Also, where the present invention uses a control cap with a discharge slot, a selector can be employed to change the position of the discharge slot, and thereby cause the sector-shaped pattern to be moved accordingly to a new location. Furthermore, the width of the discharge slot in the cap can be varied by movement of an indicator.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIEUFEB 15 me 3.642.206

sum 1 or 2 6 INVENTOR 62 JOHN E. WALDRUM BY M, W, W :BW

ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEUFEB 15 I972 sum 2 or z INVENTOR JOHN E. WALDRUM SECTOR SPRAY DEVICE This invention relates to a sector spray device and has as its objectives the provision of a new and improved spray device which not only achieves a variety of spray patterns irrespective of feedline pressures, but also achieves spray patterns limited to certain quadrants or specifically defined portions of a full circle.

There are many instances in the spraying of liquids where a full circle, or 360 pattern, is unwanted. For instance, it may be desired to spray only one side of the road. At other times, wind conditions or vehicle speed may sufficiently distort a particular spray pattern, and thus it becomes necessary to modify the discharge pattern in order to achieve a desired spray pattern with reference to the target area.

It is known to provide rotating spray devices which are driven by the liquid line pressure in a kind of jet action. Unfortunately, the speed of rotation of such devices is totally dependent upon line pressure. If line pressure is increased, the speed of rotation is also increased. Thus, the output of such devices can be increased only by enlarging the spray pattern achieved by such devices.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to achieve a spray device which produces a spray pattern that is independent of line pressure, so that the same spray pattern may be maintained even if line pressure is increased, or the spray pattern may be made smaller or larger without changing line pressure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sector spray device which achieves a variable arcuate pattern which is less than a full circle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aspray device with relatively few moving parts, that is relatively simple to manufacture, at a low cost and is easy to maintain.

The foregoing as well as other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a sector spray device which possesses a stationary feed tube that terminates at its lower end in a discharge control cap that has a discharge slot. The present invention further includes drive means for rotating a sleeve to which are attached discharge tubes that are accordingly rotated in a circle. For a portion of the full circle of rotation, the discharge tubes are in fluid communication with the discharge slot of the control cap.

Thus, liquid passing through the feedpipe will be discharged through only those tubes in fluid communication with the discharge slot. In this way the liquid is sprayed in a constant sector-shaped pattern that can be limited to 90 or less depending upon the discharge slot. In one aspect of the present invention the control cap can be eliminated in order to take advantage of the independence of the rotation of the discharge tubes with respect to liquid line pressure.

It is to be noted that the position of the control cap can be changed in order to change the location of the spray pattern, and the size of the opening of the discharge slot can also be changed.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sector spray device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the discharge control cap which contributes greatly to the versatility of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 2.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts there is shown at 10 in FIG. 1 a sector spray device embodying the present invention. It will be seen from a review of FIGS. 1 and 2 that the sector spray device 10 basically comprises a stationary feedpipe 12 that is connected at its lower end to discharge control cap 14 which is also stationary.

It is to be noted that the control cap possesses a variable discharge slot 16 (FIG. 4) which communicates with one or more of the rotating discharge tubes 18. The device I0 also includes drive means 20 (FIG. 3) for rotating the sleeve 72 (FIG. 2) which is connected to the discharge tubes 18. It will be seen that the rotating sleeve 22 is driven by a motor contained in housing 24 that is mounted against panel 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, the motor contained in housing 24 drives a shaft 28 that is joumaled in suitable bearings. Attached to the shaft 28 for rotation therewith is a worm gear 30 that meshes with teeth 32 of circular gear 34. From a consideration of FIG. 2 it will be seen that the circular gear 34 is secured by bolts 36 and setscrew 38 to the rotating sleeve 22. It will be seen in FIG. 2 that the bolts 36 and the setscrew 38 pass through base 40 or wall 42 of a collar member.

It will be seen from an inspection of FIGS. 1 and 2 that the foregoing drive mechanism is contained in a housing 44 having a top surface 46 through which pass bolts 48 to be secured within lower section 50. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, bolts 52 secure the housing 44 to the mounting plate 26 whereas bolts 54 secure the motor housing 24 to the mounting plate 26.

With reference to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the discharge control cap 14 is secured to the lower end of the stationary supply tube 12, with the details of the control cap being also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

With reference to FIG. 5 it will be seen that liquid passing downwardly through the pipe 12 can move only through the slot 16 in the cap 14.

It is important that the position of the slot 16 relative to the pipe 12 can be changed from time to time in order to change the particular direction of discharge from the apparatus 10. This is accomplished by manipulation of the selector 56 (across scale 57) of FIG. 1 which extends from a collar 58 that is secured to the pipe 12 by means of setscrew 60, with an O- ring (FIG. 2) being provided adjacent the lower edge of the collar 58 as shown in FIG. 2. It will be seen from FIG. 2 that the O-ring effectively separates the stationary collar 58 from the top of rotating sleeve 22.

Since the collar 58 is rigidly secured to stationary pipe 12, it will be seen that the selector 56 will indicatethe precise position of the slot 16 in the cap 14, and furthermore,'movement of the collar 58 is transmitted directly down to the normally stationary cap 14 in order to achieve a change of position of the slot 16 in the cap 14.

It can be further seen by reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 that the width of the slot 16 can be varied by movement of an indicator 62-A that is attached to bushing 62. Indicator 62-A can be moved across an arcuate scale 64 which is somewhat like the scale 57 that is associated with the selector 56. It can be seen from FIG. 6 that a bolt 66 holds the indicator 62 to a bottom plate 68.

The width of slot 16 is varied by movement of an arcuate backup plate 70 (FIG. 4) that is secured to a head 72 (FIG. 5) which can be moved along the slot 16 in order to close a part of the slot 16.

A pin 74 projects inwardly from the head 72 (FIG. 4), with the pin 74 being secured to the arcuate plate 70.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the bolt 66 passes upwardly through a sleeve 76 that is connected to a portion 78 of the backup plate 70.

It therefore follows that movement of the indicator 62-A (and bushing 62) is accomplished by a corresponding rotation of sleeve 76 which in turn causes a movement of the head 72 in the slot 16. Since the arcuate strip 70 is connected to the head 72, this causes a greater or lesser opening in the slot 16.

In operation, the motor is turned on and this causes rotation of the sleeve 22 and its associated discharge tubes 18. When it is desired to start spraying, the liquid is simply admitted to stationary feedpipe 12 under either pumping action or gravity feed. The liquid passes through slot 16 and cap 14, and then exits through the discharge tubes 18 that happened to be in fluid communication with the slot 16. It is to be noted that the slot 16 communicates directly with an opening 90 that is located in each discharge tube 18, and any backup of liquid is prevented by the arcuate plate 70. Should it be desired to change the particular locations of the sector pattern being sprayed, itis a simple matter to rotate the collar 58 so that the selector 52 is brought to a new position. This in turn changes the position of the slot 16, and in this way the entire spray pattern is shifted to a new location, although the spray pattern remains of the same width.

Should it be desired to change the width of the spray pattern, this may be done through movement of indicator 62-A which will cause modification of head 72 and associated arcuate plate 70.

In some instances it may be desirable to dispense with the control cap 14, and simply take advantage of the constant spray pattern that may be achieved through the present invention irrespective of line pressure. Thus, if it is desired to apply a greater amount of liquid over the constant area in a constant spray pattern, it can be accomplished simply by increasing the pressure of the liquid that is fed to feedpipe 12. Also, if it is desired to distribute a given quantity of liquid over a lesser area or greater area, this can be simply done by changing the speed of the motor while maintaining a constant liquid pressure in pipe 12.

The present invention has particular application in the spraying of herbicides and other agricultural liquids. Where a systemic herbicide is involved, it is important that the herbicide be delivered only to a predetermined target area. Also, since the liquid being sprayed is considerably more economic worth than pure water, it has desired to confine spraying only to target areas.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention, that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A spray device comprising a stationary feedpipe, means to supply liquid under line pressure to be sprayed to a t'ust end of said pipe which has a second end through which said liquid is discharged, a rotating sleeve associated with said pipe, electrical drive means to rotate said sleeve, independent of line pressure, discharge tubes secured to said sleeve for rotation therewith, said discharge tubes being in fluid communication with said second end of said pipe whereby liquid may be fed through said pipe independently of the rotation of said discharge tubes, a discharge control cap associated with the second end of said pipe, said cap having a slot through which said liquid is discharged.

2. The spray device of claim 1 wherein said slot extends for an arc of less than 360 whereby the liquid is sprayed in a sector-shaped pattern.

3. The spray device of claim 2 including means to adjust said cap in order to change the direction of said spray pattern.

4. The spray device of claim 3, including means to adjust the width of the slot in said cap.

5. A spray device comprising a stationary feedpipe, means to supply liquid under line pressure to be sprayed to a first end of said pipe which has a second end through which said liquid is discharged, a rotating sleeve associated with said pipe, drive means to rotate said sleeve, independent of line pressure, discharge tubes secured to said sleeve for rotation therewith,

. said discharge tubes being in fluid communication with said second end of said pipe whereby liquid may be fed through said pipe independently of the rotation of said discharge tubes, a discharge control cap having a slot through which said liquid is discharged, said slot extending for an arc of less than 360 whereby the liquid is sprayed in a s ectgr-shaped pattern. 

1. A spray device comprising a stationary feedpipe, means to supply liquid under line pressure to be sprayed to a first end of said pipe which has a second end through which said liquid is discharged, a rotating sleeve associated with said pipe, electrical drive means to rotate said sleeve, independent of line pressure, discharge tubes secured to said sleeve for rotation therewith, said discharge tubes being in fluid communication with said second end of said pipe whereby liquid may be fed through said pipe independently of the rotation of said discharge tubes, a discharge control cap associated with the second end of said pipe, said cap having a slot through which said liquid is discharged.
 2. The spray device of claim 1 wherein said slot extends for an arc of less than 360* whereby the liquid is sprayed in a sector-shaped pattern.
 3. The spray device of claim 2 including means to adjust said cap in order to change the direction of said spray pattern.
 4. The spray device of claim 3, including means to adjust the width of the slot in said cap.
 5. A spray device comprising a stationary feedpipe, means to supply liquid under line pressure to be sprayed to a first end of said pipe which has a second end through which said liquid is discharged, a rotating sleeve associated with said pipe, drive means to rotate said sleeve, independent of line pressure, discharge tubes secured to said sleeve for rotation therewith, said discharge tubes being in fluid communication with said second end of said pipe whereby liquid may be fed through said pipe independently of the rotation of said discharge tubes, a discharge control cap having a slot through which said liquid is discharged, said slot extending for an arc of less than 360* whereby the liquid is sprayed in a sector-shaped pattern. 